Each day in November—leading up to the winter meetings—Sporting News will analyze the offseason to-do list of a major league team. Today: the St. Louis Cardinals.

No Albert Pujols? No Tony La Russa? No problem for rookie manager Mike Matheny and the Cardinals, who came within one win of reaching the World Series. With a roster stocked with homegrown position players and power righthanders, the Cardinals' 2013 shapes up even better. This offseason will be about filling holes much less significant than the ones left by Pujols and La Russa last year.

OFFSEASON AGENDA

When lefty reliever and middle infielder comprise your shopping list, you should be able to enjoy some of the "off" in the offseason. But maybe not when you've had as much trouble finding a reliable lefty as GM John Mozeliak has.

The Cardinals haven't had a consistent lefty since Trever Miller in 2009. Marc Rzepczynski was supposed to be the guy, but he struggled so much in 2012 that you wonder if he will return in 2013. Because they have an abundance of promising righthanders, the Cardinals might carry only one lefty in their bullpen. If Mozeliak signs a veteran such as Randy Choate or Jeremy Affeldt, Rzepczynski would become expendable.

The team's plan to shore up the middle infield likely won't be determined before the winter meetings because of shortstop Rafael Furcal's health. Furcal has another year on his contract, but an elbow injury that ended his 2012 has him uncertain for 2013. Rookie Pete Kozma appeared to have boosted his chances of taking over the position with a strong September, but after rough moments in the playoffs, he is no longer a sure bet to make the roster.

If the Cardinals believe Furcal will be ready, they could shop for a free agent who could back up short and compete with Daniel Descalso for the second-base job. Jeff Keppinger has been mentioned as a possibility.

If Furcal's recovery stalls, Mozeliak would be more likely to explore a trade market that includes shortstop Yunel Escobar, who has worn out his welcome with the Toronto Blue Jays. Another possibility? The Cards are said to have significant interest in Asdrubal Cabrera, if the Cleveland Indians decide to peddle him.

The back of the rotation is the only other unsettled area, but no shopping will be required to fill it. The Cardinals, in fact, have so much depth that 18-game winner Lance Lynn has been told he doesn't have a secured spot in the rotation. Those who do are Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter, Jake Westbrook and Jaime Garcia, if his left shoulder is OK.

POSSIBLE DEPARTURES

The club is so deep in starters that Mozeliak isn't even planning to discuss a return with free agent Kyle Lohse, the team's winningest pitcher over the past two seasons.